Tourism awareness day in Bethal inspires youth entrepreneurship
MEC for Economic Development and Tourism Jesta Sidell urged young people in the Govan Mbeki Municipality to seize governmental opportunities to establish their own tourism businesses.
The Mpumalanga Department of Tourism hosted its Provincial Tourism Awareness Day celebration at the Bethal Regional Park on September 20.
Speaking at the event, MEC for Economic Development and Tourism Jesta Sidell urged young people in the Govan Mbeki Municipality to seize governmental opportunities to establish their own tourism businesses.
Sidell highlighted the potential of the tourism sector to transform the area’s unemployment rate by creating jobs and empowering the youth.
“We strongly believe in raising awareness and exposing the youth to the tourism industry, particularly those in disadvantaged groups. They could become an integral part of this sector.
“Our objective is to ensure the future of tourism and see young people think of themselves as entrepreneurs and job creators playing an active role in this vital economic sector,” said Sidell.
The day’s programme included educational discussions on tourism awareness, destination marketing and the role of communities in strengthening the sector.
Sidell said her department would continue to collaborate with stakeholders, such as the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency, to equip young people with the necessary skills to participate in the economy.
She encouraged aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to apply for the Mpumalanga Youth in Tourism Fund, developed in partnership with NYDA, which supports previously disadvantaged entrepreneurs in entering and growing within the tourism industry.
Applications for the fund are open until September 30.
